Duo caught with 1.3kg of syabu may face death penalty
LAHAD DATU: Two foreigners from Indonesia and Philippines could potentially face the death penalty after they were caught in possession of 1.3 kilograms of drugs believed to be syabu.
The two suspects, aged 28 and 43, were nabbed by Lahad Datu Narcotic Crime Investigation Division (BSJN) around 6 pm on February 19 inside a Proton Persona car at the parking lot of Darvel Bay Plaza.
District Police Chief ACP Rohan Shah Ahmad said in a press statement yesterday the arrest was made following a public tip-off.
“One of the suspects acted aggressively to escape but police managed to detain him while the other suspect sat on the front passenger seat.
“A search on the car found 1.3 kilograms of drugs inside a ‘Refined Chinese Tea’ plastic before being placed inside a black plastic and inside a brown paper bag,” he said.
According to Rohan Shah, the discovery of the drugs led to the seizure of the Proton Persona, two mobile phones and RM3,000 cash. All the seized items were estimated to be worth RM79,297 with the drugs valued at
RM36,297.
Rohan Shah said the investigation of this case would be carried out under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952.
In the meantime, Rohan Shah said following the increased efforts and action of BSJN to curb drug criminal activities, they have made some arrests and seizure.
He said among the cases recorded are the arrest of two local men at the traffic light in Jalan Tengah Nipah on February 8 that led to the seizure of 54.94 grams of syabu and also the arrest of a local man in Kampung Anjung Teduh on February 17 and seizure of 33.40 grams of syabu.
In January, he said a local man was detained at a plantation in Batu 7, Jalan Segama after police found 9.86 grams of syabu in his possession and another man was picked up at Jalan Teratai on January 22 with 7.17 grams of syabu found in his possession.
On the first day of 2021, a local man was arrested at the shop area in Batu 1, Jalan Segama after he was caught with 32.11 grams of syabu.
“We also handled six cases involving the arrest of two local men and four foreigners under Section 12(2) of the DDA 1952 as well as 21 individuals nabbed for consuming drugs, and the cases were under Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA 1952.
“We are looking seriously on this matter (drug criminal activities) including among our members. In view of this, we have conducted urine test on 105 officers, members as well as public officers in Lahad Datu Police Headquarters to implement the e-SKDD (Discipline and Drug Control Scheme System),” he said.
Therefore, Rohan Shah hopes that the public will also provide cooperation by reporting information on drug criminal activities for police action to ensure the district is free from drug abuse.